PAST PAPER QUESTIONS  Describe, in detail, how the government in a country you have studied have tried to reduce social and/or economic inequalities.  (KU 6 marks)  Describe, in detail, the help poor people in the USA may receive from the government.  (KU 6 Marks)

WHAT IS MEANT BY SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC INEQUALITIES? Economic Inequalities Income levels including welfare. Unemployment rates. Promotion. Social Inequalities Housing. Family structures. Education. Health. Crime.

Help For Disadvantaged Groups USA DREAM - Education SNAP - Poverty TANF – Unemployment/Poverty OBAMACARE - Health

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) TANF is targeted at giving needy families help with childcare, transportation and other ways that will encourage people to find work or help them stay in work. The thinking behind the program is that employment rather than benefits are the route out of poverty.

SOME FACTS ABOUT TANF  TANF spending in 2013 was $17.3 billion  In March 2013, there were 1,8 million  Families receiving TANF However a the total recipients of TANF was 4.1 million. (population 318million)

TANF Advantages/Disadvantages Many of the jobs done by recipients on welfare are in low paid, menial parts of the economy. Many of the firms who hire workers under the TANF and other welfare programmes are criticised for making profits at the expense of the taxpayer and for not creating full-time jobs that would end people’s dependency on the welfare programmes. Supporters say that the welfare programmes help people gain the skills and experience they need to help get them back into the job market.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Food stamps are issued in the form of a debit card, that people can use to pay for groceries. Offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families and provides economic benefits to communities Eligibility depends on The number of people in your household, income, and resources (cash, bank accounts, etc…). Income includes money earned from work. It also includes benefits like Social Security, unemployment.

Number of participants receiving SNAP 26million47million Cost to the USA government $33billion$80billion

 SNAP eligibility rules require that participants be at or below 130% of the Federal Poverty Level.  As many as 80 percent of workers in Wal-Mart stores use food stamps. Walmart's employees receive $2.66 billion in government help every year  According to demographic data, 43% of SNAP participants are white, 33% are African-American, 19% are Hispanic, 2% are Asian, and 2% are Native American

Disadvantages Can’t be used everywhere Can only be used in certain locations. Only those vendors who have signed up with the government to receive and process food stamps Invasion of Privacy. For many, telling sensitive personal information to a stranger can constitute an embarrassing invasion of privacy. Disincentive to Work For some households working could mean the potential loss of food stamps can provide a disincentive to seek additional work.

Disadvantages Can Only Buy Food Can only be used to purchase certain types of food. They cannot buy hot food or food that is meant to be eaten within the store. Low-income people who may not have access to a functioning kitchen, this further limits their choices to food that can be eaten without access to a stove or refrigerator.

Advantages SNAP is the largest program in the domestic hunger safety net. Provides a source of food for those who need it the most. Encourages healthier diets. Ensures that people can only buy food- not alcohol or tobacco.

‘Obamacare’ Exchanges Exchanges are markets where small businesses and people can shop for insurance and compare prices and benefits. The idea is that with a marketplace, where all products can be viewed together, insurance companies will be forced to lower their costs to gain business. Right of Appeal Insurers need to have an appeals process for when they turn down a claim Fast food chains Chain restaurants have to list calories on their menus. Pre-existing Conditions No more "pre-existing conditions". At all. People will be charged the same regardless of their medical history.

The Dream Act Grant conditional lawful resident status to high school graduates who had grown up in the United States. After a period of time, and upon completion of a voluntary work programme, college degree or military service, they could apply for lawful permanent resident status.

The Dream Act Opponents Fear that giving amnesty to these immigrants who have broken immigration law will only encourage more illegal immigrants to come into the U.S., knowing that their children will have a pathway to legal residence. Colleges offering concessions to undocumented students. As far as they are concerned, this amounts to rewarding people for committing a crime. it is not right for an undocumented person to pay less in tuition fees than a legal resident from another state. Supporters It is a way of offering a future to the children of undocumented residents which would benefit the country financially. What else should be done with these young immigrants. They have no connection to their home countries, many of them having been brought to the United States at very young ages, even in infancy

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) The four purposes of the TANF program are to: Provide assistance to needy families so that children can be cared for in their own homes Reduce the dependency of needy parents by promoting job preparation, work and marriage Prevent and reduce the incidence of out- of-wedlock pregnancies Encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families

Responsibilities of Recipients Must work as soon as they are ‘job-ready’ or no later than two years after coming on assistance. Parents must participate in work activities for an average of 30 hours per week, or an average of 20 hours per week if they have a child under age six. Two-parent families must participate in work activities for an average of 35 hours a week. Failure to participate in work requirements can result in a reduction or termination of a family’s benefits.

 Food stamps are coupons, often issued in the form of a debit card, that people can use to pay for groceries. While beneficial to those who need them, a number of disadvantages arise for those receiving food stamps

‘Obamacare’ Exchanges Exchanges are markets where small businesses and people can shop for insurance and compare prices and benefits. The idea is that with a marketplace, where all products can be viewed together, insurance companies will be forced to lower their costs to gain business. Right of Appeal Insurers need to have an appeals process for when they turn down a claim

Social Stigma In certain areas, receiving food stamps carries with it a social stigma. While often a person must accept food stamp help because of circumstances beyond their control, others in the community may look down upon the person as a failure. In some cases, the recipient may be considered lazy and unfairly condemned for sponging off the government.